New Delhi: Woman boxer MC Mary Kom was feted as India's latest sporting hero on Thursday after the mother-of-two won a bronze medal at the London Olympics.

Kom, 29, had to settle for bronze along with the other losing semifinalist after she was beaten 11-6 by Britain's fancied world number two Nicola Adams in the 51kg category on Wednesday.

The boxer, who won five world titles in the 46kg and 48kg categories, had to move up a weight category to fight in London since her favoured events were not part of the inaugural Olympic competition in women's boxing.

Sports minister Ajay Maken congratulated the tiny boxer from the north-eastern state of Manipur, who took up sport as a path out of poverty.

"Mary Kom playing in a higher weight category, played well but lost to a taller/younger/stronger player," Maken wrote on Twitter. "Olympic bronze is also a big achievement."

Kom's medal ensured India will return from London with its biggest Olympic haul, surpassing the one gold and two bronzes it won in Beijing four years ago.

India has so far won a silver through pistol shooter Vijay Kumar and three bronze medals by badminton star Saina Nehwal, rifle marksman Gagan Narang and Kom.